Marriage records in St. Clair County, Michigan, are available through several channels. StClairMICourt.us allows you to quickly start searching for public marriage record information in the county. Additionally, the original documents are maintained by the St. Clair County Clerk's office. You can contact this office in person, send a request by mail, or use the state's online portal to order certified copies of marriage certificates.
St. Clair Marriage Records Search
In St. Clair County, the responsibility for issuing marriage licenses and maintaining marriage records is assigned to the St. Clair County Clerk's office. This office accepts applications for licenses, registers returned marriage certificates after the ceremony, and maintains historical records. The collection includes marriage licenses issued in the county, marriage certificates submitted by ceremony officiants, and archival records from previous decades.
At the state level, the Michigan Vital Records Division maintains a centralized registry of marriage records starting from 1867. This means that a copy of the certificate can be obtained either directly from the county or through the state.
St. Clair County Clerk
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in St. Clair
The fees for copies of marriage records are established according to Michigan state law (MCL 333.2891). Below is the current fee schedule:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of marriage certificate (first copy) | $26.00 |
| Additional copy (in one order) | $12.00 |
| Search fee (through the state if the record is not found) | Included in the cost of the first copy |
| Expedited processing through the state (Rapid Service) | $34.00 for the first copy |
Note: Expedited processing fees do not include mailing costs. If you order through the County Clerk in person, a copy is usually issued during the same visit. Mail requests take longer to process — from a few business days to two weeks depending on the office's workload.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in St. Clair
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in St. Clair
There are three main ways to order a marriage certificate from St. Clair County.
Online
The state of Michigan offers online ordering through the Vital Records portal. Through this system, you can order a certified copy of a marriage certificate registered in any county of the state. You need to provide the spouses' names, approximate date of marriage, and pay the fee with a credit or debit card. Standard processing takes several weeks; expedited processing takes 1 to 5 business days.
In Person
Visit the County Clerk's office in Port Huron at the address listed above. Bring a photo ID. An appointment is usually not required, but it's worth calling ahead to confirm.
By Mail
Send a written request to the County Clerk's address specifying:
- the full names of both individuals who were married;
- the approximate date of marriage;
- the purpose of the request;
- a check or money order for the appropriate amount;
- a copy of the applicant's photo ID;
- a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Alternatively, you can send a request to the Michigan Vital Records Office:
For mail requests to the state, all documents and payment must be enclosed in a sealed envelope. A Drop Box is available in the main lobby of the building from Monday to Friday.
If you need information for genealogical research or to verify a marriage fact, StClairMICourt.us can be a convenient starting tool for searching public data. For official legal purposes — name changes, immigration cases, or estate processing — a certified copy issued by the County Clerk or the state is always required.